Clare MacKay's Miles for Smiles

Organization Image

A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

Smile Network International

Clare is hiking the Camino de Santiago in 2021 and raising money for Smile Network.

$1,995

raised by 22 people

$2,500 goal

Next September, I'm joining a group of adventurous souls to trek the Camino de Santiago. It will be a six-day, 72-mile trek from the border of Portugal to the city of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 

 

Why am I writing you a letter to tell you that I’m going on another adventure? The purpose of this journey is to raise awareness and much needed funds for Smile Network International. 

 

I’m about to ask you for your help. 

 

Let me clarify. You’re not paying a cent towards my trip, my trek or my time. That’s on me. With your donation, you’re going to help me change the lives of at least (at least!) five people. 

 

How? Every penny you donate will go to sponsor life changing cleft lip and palate surgeries for children in countries where a surgery of this kind is often inaccessible. 

 

Why the Smile Network? Smile Network is a non-profit, Minnesota based, humanitarian organization that performs surgeries on children born with a birth defect of a cleft lip or palate. The doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists all volunteer their time and talent on the surgical missions, as well as individuals like us who are dedicated to raising awareness and money for the cause by participating in this trek. 

 

My sister Hilary is one of those nurses. She’s volunteered her time and her money with missions in India, Peru and Mexico. The stories she shares after each mission are about the families that travel for days to receive this surgery because it is not readily accessible. She shares how in some of these communities a cleft lip or palate is seen as a bad omen and children are cast out from their communities simply by being born with this very treatable defect. 

 

Each surgery costs about $500 and takes about 45 minutes. That’s it. To change a life forever. Help me change at least five lives today.


Note: all donations placed are in US funds as this charity is Minnesota based.

Giving Activity

Comments

Log in to leave a comment. Log in